Whistle and Link AKC are two similar dog GPS trackers that you might be interested in buying but not sure which one to choose. You are most probably wondering what their differences are and which one is better than the other. So check out our Whistle VS Link AKC comparison below to find out which tracking device will suit your tastes.
Whistle GO Explore is the latest version of the Whistle collection, therefore, it surely has a lot of improvements from the previous devices. Its main features are GPS locations tracking, and health and fitness monitoring. Whistle GO has a longer-lasting battery life and provides more health information than its previous models.
Link AKC is another type of GPS animal tracker that lets you monitor not only your pup’s activity level and location, but also their health information. It also comes with a neatly looking leather collar that you might like.
What are the differences between Whistle and Link AKC? Let’s find out!
Main Features
Whistle 
Link AKC
- Receive alerts if your dog escapes
- Signal your location anywhere in North America
- Tracks his movement every 15 seconds
- Only Whistle tracking monitors some common behaviors in your dog which will provide you with a warning to the primary signs of illness e.g. elevated skin scratching can mean allergies, irritation, or infection or increased drinking may show early signs of kidney disease or diabetes.
- Great distance coverage (AT&T)
- Create more than one customizable safe zones
- Affordable
- Small & lightweight, shockproof & waterproof
- Smart activity monitoring
- Records for vets
- Default and customizable safe zones that are expandable up to 2,400 meter radius
- Very reliable and accurate location tracking
- Instant alerts in the instant your dog leaves the safe zone you created
Whistle
- Receive alerts if your dog escapes
- Signal your location anywhere in North America
- Tracks his movement every 15 seconds
- Only Whistle tracking monitors some common behaviors in your dog which will provide you with a warning to the primary signs of illness e.g. elevated skin scratching can mean allergies, irritation, or infection or increased drinking may show early signs of kidney disease or diabetes.
- Great distance coverage (AT&T)
- Create more than one customizable safe zones
- Affordable
- Small & lightweight, shockproof & waterproof
Link AKC
- Smart activity monitoring
- Records for vets
- Default and customizable safe zones that are expandable up to 2,400 meter radius
- Very reliable and accurate location tracking
- Instant alerts in the instant your dog leaves the safe zone you created
Design
Whistle
Link AKC
The Whistle tracker is available in three colors: blue, gray, and green, and has a rounded cuboid body design, measuring 1.82” x 1.45” x 0.61 (length x width x depth). This device is also waterproof and can be attached to your dog’s collar so you also don’t have to worry if your dog wandered around in a pool full of water.
Link AKC comes with neatly designed leather and nylon collars along with the device itself, a curved tracking unit. The dimensions of the tracking device is 1.5” x 3.9” 0.5” (height x width x depth). The unit easily clips into the carrier and removes by just pushing the release button.
Whistle
The Whistle tracker is available in three colors: blue, gray, and green, and has a rounded cuboid body design, measuring 1.82” x 1.45” x 0.61 (length x width x depth). This device is also waterproof and can be attached to your dog’s collar so you also don’t have to worry if your dog wandered around in a pool full of water.
Link AKC
Link AKC comes with neatly designed leather and nylon collars along with the device itself, a curved tracking unit. The dimensions of the tracking device is 1.5” x 3.9” 0.5” (height x width x depth). The unit easily clips into the carrier and removes by just pushing the release button.
Activity and Fitness Tracker
Whistle
Link AKC
The Whistle tracker can show your pet’s record of 24-hour activity in a graph. This device gives you full insight into the distance traveled, active and inactive time, pet activity level, and the number of calories burned. With this device, you have an option to customize the activity goals based on your dog’s breed, age, and weight.
Link AKC is a highly efficient device for monitoring your dog’s activity patterns because of its 3-axis accelerometer that has the ability to measure your dog’s activity with high accuracy. Interestingly, they developed an algorithm that can learn to distinguish any changes in their activity level. Link can also suggest activities for your dog depending on their breed, age, and size.
Whistle
The Whistle tracker can show your pet’s record of 24-hour activity in a graph. This device gives you full insight into the distance traveled, active and inactive time, pet activity level, and the number of calories burned. With this device, you have an option to customize the activity goals based on your dog’s breed, age, and weight.
Link AKC
Link AKC is a highly efficient device for monitoring your dog’s activity patterns because of its 3-axis accelerometer that has the ability to measure your dog’s activity with high accuracy. Interestingly, they developed an algorithm that can learn to distinguish any changes in their activity level. Link can also suggest activities for your dog depending on their breed, age, and size.
Pricing and Subscription Plans
Whistle
Link AKC
Whistle GO device costs $129 (check the up-to-date price here) and comes with a mandatory service subscription plan priced at $9.95 for a monthly subscription; $7.95 for yearly; and $6.95 for 2 years which makes it expensive for us dog owners. This comes with a money-back guarantee within 90 days upon order.
Surprisingly, Link AKC charges the same for their monthly subscription plan:
- $9.95 per month
- $7.95 per month (1-year subscription)
- $6.95 per month (2-year subscription)
Whistle
Whistle GO device costs $129 (check the up-to-date price here) and comes with a mandatory service subscription plan priced at $9.95 for a monthly subscription; $7.95 for yearly; and $6.95 for 2 years which makes it expensive for us dog owners. This comes with a money-back guarantee within 90 days upon order.
Link AKC
Surprisingly, Link AKC charges the same for their monthly subscription plan:
- $9.95 per month
- $7.95 per month (1-year subscription)
- $6.95 per month (2-year subscription)
Location Tracking
Whistle
Link AKC
- GPS tracking with AT&T LTE service. This feature enables you to receive real-time location updates every 60 seconds.
- This device also comes with a record of your pet’s 24-hour location history.
- Safe zones. This feature gives you an option to create multiple customizable safe zones in different shapes and sizes.
- When your pet exits the predetermined parameter you set, this device will send you email, text, and push notifications.
- The sharing feature provides you with an option to give a friend or family member full access to its tracking features.
- Link AKC focuses more on their trips rather than their destination. However, Link only saves 24 hours of your dog’s location and it does not allow you to save and see those data beyond 24 hours in the past.
- This device provides an accurate and consistent GPS location of your pup.
- It also sends instant alerts if ever your dog leaves the established safe zone.
Whistle
- GPS tracking with AT&T LTE service. This feature enables you to receive real-time location updates every 60 seconds.
- This device also comes with a record of your pet’s 24-hour location history.
- Safe zones. This feature gives you an option to create multiple customizable safe zones in different shapes and sizes.
- When your pet exits the predetermined parameter you set, this device will send you email, text, and push notifications.
- The sharing feature provides you with an option to give a friend or family member full access to its tracking features.
Link AKC
- Link AKC focuses more on their trips rather than their destination. However, Link only saves 24 hours of your dog’s location and it does not allow you to save and see those data beyond 24 hours in the past.
- This device provides an accurate and consistent GPS location of your pup.
- It also sends instant alerts if ever your dog leaves the established safe zone.
Durability
Whistle
Link AKC
The Whistle tracker has an IPX8 dirt-proof and shock-proof, and waterproof rating. This has been proven and tested with the same process of immersing the device in 3 feet deep in water for 30 minutes. The attachment strap that comes with it is made of strong rubber which makes it durable and resistant to bites.
Link AKC is water-resistant and can withstand being immersed for up to 3 feet. It is made from durable materials which makes it shock-resistant.
Whistle
The Whistle tracker has an IPX8 dirt-proof and shock-proof, and waterproof rating. This has been proven and tested with the same process of immersing the device in 3 feet deep in water for 30 minutes. The attachment strap that comes with it is made of strong rubber which makes it durable and resistant to bites.
Link AKC
Link AKC is water-resistant and can withstand being immersed for up to 3 feet. It is made from durable materials which makes it shock-resistant.
Smartphone App
Whistle
Link AKC
The Whistle tracker phone app, which is available for Android 5.0 and iOS 10.0 users and above, gives you the option to see your pet’s locations using Google maps, which includes their 24-hour location history. You can also see the activity and inactivity data, safe zone, battery, and an option to adjust settings.
Link AKC, of course, also comes with an app. It is compatible with any iOS 9.0+ and Android 5.0+ devices. With this app, you can get all the info you want to know about your pup from the device, such as your dog’s location history and daily activity records. It will also send you notification instantly whenever your pup leaves their designated safe zone.
Whistle
The Whistle tracker phone app, which is available for Android 5.0 and iOS 10.0 users and above, gives you the option to see your pet’s locations using Google maps, which includes their 24-hour location history. You can also see the activity and inactivity data, safe zone, battery, and an option to adjust settings.
Link AKC
Link AKC, of course, also comes with an app. It is compatible with any iOS 9.0+ and Android 5.0+ devices. With this app, you can get all the info you want to know about your pup from the device, such as your dog’s location history and daily activity records. It will also send you notification instantly whenever your pup leaves their designated safe zone.
Conclusion
The better option between these two is obviously the Whistle brand because this device has better quality because of its durability and water resistance ability compared to other competing brands. It’s not only good tracker but also one of the best dog activity monitors. The battery life also lasts a whopping amount of 10 days in one full charge which to me, seems a lot better than just 3 days, especially when you like doing outdoor activities that last more than 3 days. Lastly, you want to be able to know the location of your lovely pup in real-time which the Whistle offers and the Link AKC does not.
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